Review On Chikungunya Disease

B. Pharmacy

Chikungunya is a relatively rare form of viral fever caused by an alpha virus that is spread by mosquito bites from the Aedes aegypti mosquito. There can also be headache, conjunctival infection and slight photophobia. In the present epidemic in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India, high fever and crippling joint pain is the prevalent complaint. Fever typically lasts for two days and abruptly comes down; however joint pain, intense headache, insomnia and an extreme degree of prostration lasts for a variable period, usually for about 5 to 7 days. The paucity of the scientific information on various epidemiological aspects of chikungunya virus threatens off an epidemic as control of spread of virus might be difficult in the absence of appropriate knowledge. There is an immediate need of the research on chikungunya virus, for an effective vaccine besides strengthening the existing diagnostic laboratory facilities. The current outbreak can also be taken as a lesson for establishment of a system for continuous surveillance of diseases, considered disappeared from the countries. The re-emergence and epidemics are unpredictable phenomena but the impact of such events can be ameliorated by appropriate knowledge and by being in the right state of preparedness. Indian vaccine maker Bharat Biotech has successfully developed a vaccine against chikungunya virus, the company claimed in a recent report.

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